TalkingStick

Everyone talking over each other in your meetings?

Three people start at once, the loudest one gets the floor and the quiet members stop saying anything. Here's how to get calm back, without having to cut people off as the chair.

Try it free Tell me what you need
  1. 1 Topic Sanne Speaking1:42
    New membership fee
    The board proposes going from € 20 to € 25 a year.
    1. 3 QuestionLotte
    2. 4 CommentJoris
  2. 2 Point of orderMehmet
  3. 5 TopicFatima
    Audit committee

Everyone sees the same list, live.

Sound familiar?

It goes wrong at the item on the new membership fee. Sanne hasn't finished when Joris cuts in. Two others start reacting to each other, and someone asks what we're actually talking about. Lotte had a good question, but she never asks it.

Talking over each other usually means people care. They just don't know when it's their turn, so they take the floor the moment there's a pause.

Five things that help

  1. Agree the rule. Say at the start: if you want to speak, sign up and wait until you get the floor. Short, and the same for everyone.

  2. Make the list visible. People who can see they're on it don't need to cut in. Waiting where nobody can see feels like being skipped.

  3. Let reactions go first. A short reaction to the speaker can come first, a new topic joins the back. That keeps the conversation on one point.

  4. Give the quiet members a turn. After a round, ask who hasn't spoken yet, and let them go first.

  5. Agree a speaking time. Two minutes per turn is often enough. Say it beforehand, and wrapping someone up doesn't feel like criticism.

The list keeps order, you keep the content

With TalkingStick, everyone puts themselves on the speakers list from their phone. Everyone sees whose turn it is and who's next. A reaction hangs under its topic, a point of order shows in red and whoever speaks sees their speaking time. You no longer have to interrupt anyone: the list already says it.

Try it at your next meeting

How it works

  1. Create a meeting

    Make an account and a room for your group, for example "Board" or "Members meeting". Put the meeting in it on a date.

  2. Share the code

    Participants open the link on their phone or laptop and type their name. They don't need an account. You let them in.

  3. Give the floor

    Anyone who wants to speak joins the list with a topic, comment, question or point of order. You see the queue, start the speaker and the timer runs.

Questions

Does it work for online or hybrid meetings?

Yes. Everyone uses the same speakers list, in the room or at home. For sound and video you just keep using Teams, Zoom or the room.

Is TalkingStick free?

Yes, while it is in testing. If a paid version comes later, you will hear well in advance.

Do participants need an account?

No. Only the person who runs the meeting makes an account. Participants open the link, type a name and the chair lets them in.

Do I need to install an app?

No, it works in the browser on phones, tablets and laptops. You can add it to your home screen, then it opens like an app.

Would your group use this?

TalkingStick is new. Whether I turn it into a complete product depends on your answer. It's three questions.

Say it costs €9 a month, for your whole group. Would you take it?
Tell me more (optional)

I only use your email to reply to you about this. Privacy